Unfortunately, post-abortion care has often perceived to be illegal by both citizens and healthcare professionals, and service provision has remained limited, up to now.

Our Country Director for Afghanistan, Farhad Javid, explains:

This is a monumental achievement for women’s health in Afghanistan and an important public health initiative.

Thanks to these guidelines, anyone suffering life threatening complications from miscarriage or incomplete abortion will now have access to the emergency care they need.

Marie Stopes International is proud to have supported the Ministry of Public Health in the development of these guidelines, and will continue to work with the government to make sure post-abortion care is within reach of all women in Afghanistan.

With unsafe abortion accounting for up to 13% of all global maternal deaths, the provision of post-abortion care in Afghanistan could save thousands of women’s lives every year.

The Afghan Government is committed to reducing the country’s maternal mortality rates, and has approved the guidelines to ensure women have access to the emergency treatment as well as post-abortion family planning and HIV services.

We have played a crucial role in the development of the landmark guidelines. Working closely with the Ministry of Public Health, we provided advice and practical support by convening and chairing the working group of technical advisors who drafted the guidelines.

As one of the largest providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare organisations in the country, Marie Stopes International Afghanistan will support the government to implement the guidelines through training, education, advocacy and the provision of equipment and drugs.